TV presenter Jeremy Clarkson has disclosed that he met with former prime minister Lord David Cameron and food writer Giles Coren to discuss their shared experiences with prostate cancer. The 66-year-old, who revealed his diagnosis in the latest season of Clarkson's Farm, confirmed he is now in remission after treatment.
Clarkson's Cancer Journey
Clarkson told The Times that a PSA test two months ago showed no indication of cancer, marking him officially cancer-free. He described the diagnosis as having “landed harder than I thought it would.” The presenter, who underwent treatment for an “aggressive” form of prostate cancer discovered early, urged others to get checked, emphasizing the simplicity and dignity of the process.
Lunches with Cameron and Coren
Clarkson said he regularly meets with Lord Cameron and Giles Coren for lunch to compare medical notes. “So now there’s a group of us, Giles Coren, David, me, one or two other people, and we meet for lunch every so often. Everybody has different Gleason scores, and everybody has different Stockholm and PSA scores. We all compare notes,” he explained. He noted the curiosity of onlookers seeing such an eclectic group together.
Urging Men to Get Checked
Clarkson stressed the importance of early detection, saying, “This is why I have to say to everybody who’s reading this, please, please, please go and get checked. It’s not uncomfortable, it’s not undignified, and it’s a no-brainer. I did, and that’s why I’m sitting here talking to you 11 months down the line.” He also praised the bravery of former Olympic cyclist Chris Hoy, who faced an inoperable cancer diagnosis.
Complications During Treatment
In the season finale of Clarkson's Farm, Clarkson revealed complications during his treatment, which he later attributed to resuming blood thinners without medical advice. “That was horrific and it was all my own fault. I’d been on drugs for heart issues and I had to come off them during the cancer treatment. Two or three weeks after the cancer operation, I thought I’d better put myself back on those blood thinners. Big mistake, huge,” he said. The error led to a medical emergency requiring further intervention.
Previous Health Issues
The cancer diagnosis came nearly two years after Clarkson underwent a heart procedure to fit two stents. His doctor had advised him to stop working and take up golf. Clarkson also quit smoking after contracting pneumonia on holiday in Spain.
Clarkson's Farm and Farming Advocacy
Clarkson's Farm, which follows Clarkson and his crew running Diddly Squat Farm in Oxfordshire, has made him a vocal supporter of farmers. In November 2024, he attended a protest in London against the government's inheritance tax on farmland. The sixth series is due to air in 2027.
